A garbage disposal is a useful kitchen device that truly makes your life greener and easier. The device takes solid food remains that would end up messing your kitchen and pulverize it, then release it through your waste material treatment system.
If that’s a city sewer, then the garbage is handled there as dirty water. If you have a septic system, then you have limitations, as well as other responsibilities, to maintain the system’s health when using a garbage unit, but it is the same concept.
With that in mind, if you want to know how to choose a garbage disposal, then continue reading the following article.
Types of Garbage Disposals
When you go shopping for a new garbage disposal device, you will come across 2 main types. Whichever choice is perfect for you will depend on whether you want convenience or safety.
1. Continuous-Feed Garbage Disposer
This is the most common type of garbage unit that you will find in many kitchens. It is easy to use, very affordable, and may be activated with any amount of scraps and food you want to dispose of.
If you have lots of food to grind at once, you only need to keep adding the remains while it is on. This does require professional installation since it uses a power switch.
The main disadvantage of this type of a disposer is that it is risky. If you put your hand in the system while it is on, you will suffer serious injuries.
2. Batch-Feed Garbage Disposer
This type of a garbage disposal is worth considering in houses with kids where the safety risk of the other type is a problem. A batch-feed disposer is more expensive and it isn’t as convenience to use as a continues-feed model because the system needs to fill up before it activates.
If you have different types of food to dispose of, this type isn’t the right one for you.
However, it is quite safe as it only starts when the stopper is placed on top.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Disposal
Finding the ideal garbage disposal is very easy when you know about them. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Regulation
The first thing that you should know is whether your local government allows you to own a garbage disposal. If you are simply replacing a worn out model, this is not important. However, if you are installing a new system where you have never had one before, remember to consult with your local government. These systems usually increase strain on sewer lines.
2. Plumbing
Will your sewer system handle the content of a disposer? Remember that not all plumbing system will handle a garbage disposal. Hence, take your time and check it first. It is also vital to check the fixtures to understand what types of a disposal will be suitable for your current sewer and plumbing system.
3. Motor Size
The majority of small garbage disposers come with a motor that is about 1/3 horsepower. Although this might be fine if you are the only one in an apartment, you will require something more powerful for a family of 3 or more individuals (the system will be used more often). You should go for a machine that has a 0.5 horsepower motor.
4. Stainless Steel
Another factor you should consider when buying a disposer is the material. Go for a product with stainless steel blades. Stainless blades are sharper and harder and will last longer and grind up food more effectively (you will not experience clogs in the pipes). Cheaper disposals won’t use stainless steel and will wear out faster.
5. Dishwasher Attachment
If you own a dishwasher, you should buy a garbage disposal unit with a dishwasher attachment. This attachment will attach through a tube and enable food from the washer to be flushed into the disposal where it will be ground up and washed away. The connection is pretty simple.
6. Additional Features
There are other extra features that you should look for. The most important of these is the gadget’s noise level – the quieter the machine, the better. In addition, ensure that your device has a manual reset button as well as a corrosion protection coat which will aid the device last longer. Anti-splash baffles keep the machine clean while sound baffles lower the decibel level of the machine.
In Conclusion
Choosing the perfect garbage disposer isn’t really a life or death choice. As long as it operates well, you should be happy with it. However, choosing a product that checks other boxes such as last long, good safety features, and quiet, might leave you happier than if you just bought the first option. If you take your time to know how to choose a garbage disposal, you might end up with a long-lasting and better-working device.
